The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed down 46.62 points at 6,963.37 down 0.67 percent. S&P SL20 closed 30.40 points lower at 3,705.30 down 0.81 percent.
Turnover was 620 million rupees, lower than the daily average of 1.1 billion rupees with 29 stocks closing positive against 128 negative.
"Weak post-budget sentiments were seen across the board where out of the 237 stocks traded only 55 managed to close in the positive territory while 133 registered declines," Lanka Securities said.
"49 remained unchanged. 26 counters touched 52 week low prices in todays’ trading session."
The main index showed losses in John Keells Holdings closing at 186.00 rupees, down 2.50 rupees and Ceylon Cold Stores closed at 420.00 rupees, down 14.50 rupees.
JKH was the most traded stock subsequent to the listing of shares from the warrant conversion. Warrant 23 lost 2.4 percent to close at 33.20 rupees.
Losses were also seen in Chevron Lubricants with the stock closing at 349.80 rupees, down 10.20 rupees. Foreign investors were net buyers of 108 million rupees worth of shares. Foreign activity continued to remain high at 45 percent. (Updated)